Some positions across state agencies can be directly appointed if the person has an intellectual or developmental disability and qualifies for services through DHS’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.

This report will highlight some of the outcomes and successes achieved toward the goal of increasing community jobs for people with I/DD. All the numbers included in this report are from the September 2017 Employment First Data Report and reports on ODDS clients for State Fiscal Year 2017 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017).

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q) regarding employment policy questions for Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) on 20 Hour Policy, Job Coaching and Stabilization, Competitive Integrated Employment Transmittal, and Sub-Minimum Wage Requirement for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). These questions are taken from a call with the field and stakeholders held on June 6, 2017, as well as other inquiries sent in via email

The Independent Reviewer issues this first annual report on Oregon’s progress in implementing the Settlement Agreement in Lane v. Brown. The Settlement Agreement went into effect on January 27, 2016. If the State substantially complies with its obligations, the Settlement Agreement will end no later than July 1, 2022.

The Employment First team within the Department of Human Services (DHS) reports twice a year on data concerning Oregonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) served by the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS), and provides a detailed breakdown of those services and employment outcomes. The types of data to be reported are specified in the settlement agreement in Lane v. Brown, U.S. District Court, Case No. 3:12-cv-00138-ST1 specify the types of data to be reported.

This report will highlight some of the outcomes and successes achieved toward the goal of increasing community jobs for people with I/DD. All the numbers included in this report are from the September 2016 Employment First Data Report and reports on ODDS clients for State Fiscal Year 2016 (July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016).

In addition to closely monitoring progress against these established program outcomes, this plan describes a variety of additional quality assurance activities and quality improvement initiatives that have been identified specific to the Employment First Initiative.

The purpose of this report is to present an update on implementation of the quality assurance and quality improvement strategies identified in the Employment First Quality Assurance/ Quality Improvement Plan (QA Plan) first issued in July 2014.

The Department of Human Services will issue guidance to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors, Office of Developmental Disability Services (ODDS) staff, Community Developmental Disability Programs (CDDPs), and brokerages that the recommended standard for planning and implementing supported employment services will be the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, recognizing that based on individual choice, preferences and circumstances, some people may choose to work at that level while others may not.

One of the requirements is that the Department of Human Services will issue guidance to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors, Office of Developmental Disability Services (ODDS) staff, Community Developmental Disability Programs (CDDPs), and brokerages that the recommended standard for planning and implementing supported employment services will be the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, recognizing that based on individual choice, preferences and circumstances, some people may choose to work at that level while others may not.

Minimum Wage and Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI or Title II Benefits: SGA is a system that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to determine if an individual has or continues to have a disability.

Minimum Wage and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits: In the state of Oregon, an individual receiving SSI benefits can earn at least $33,221 per year and still stay connected to SSI and Medicaid (OHP).

Phase 1 of the “I Work We Succeed” campaign (2013-15) addressed the broad benefits of working in the community and perceived obstacles and barriers to employment. Phase 2 of the campaign will specifically target parents/families/guardian and employers.

The focus of the Seamless Transition Pilot is to implement a seamless transition model from school to integrated work for transition aged (16-21 years) individuals experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Seamless transition means, through braided resources and the right sequencing of services involving education, Vocational Rehabilitation, developmental disability services and an employment service provider, a student with significant disabilities will transition seamlessly from school services directly into a paid job in the community.

This memorandum of understanding (MOU) is to impact and be implemented statewide, with a target population of all working age individuals with Developmental Disabilities eligible for both VR and ODDS services.

Attached is a notice about a proposed settlement of a lawsuit. The lawsuit is against the State of Oregon, not you. The lawsuit is about sheltered workshops. The notice gives more information about what the lawsuit is about and what the settlement would provide

You may have heard by now of the proposed settlement agreement in the class action case Lane v. Brown. As part of the settlement process the state is sending notices of the settlement to individual class members and to service providers, CDDPs, brokerages, and school districts.

The state has reached agreement on a proposed settlement in Lane v. Brown, the class action involving employment services that Oregon provides to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This case was a first of its kind in the country. The case was settled after the parties reached agreement on a number of issues. This agreement also avoids a lengthy trial set to begin in December 2015.

The purpose of this report is to present an update on implementation of the quality assurance and quality improvement strategies identified in the Employment First Quality Assurance/ Quality Improvement Plan (QA Plan) issued July 2014.

Additional Documents that Are Part of Oregon’s Overall Plan for Providing Integrated Services. As contemplated by Executive Orders 13-04 and 15-01 and the Integrated Employment Plan, Oregon has adopted additional rules, policies, and planning documents.

In advance of the Employment First data report, which will be published the end of July 2015, we thought we would share some preliminary data around results from the office of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

As of July 1, 2015, only those who are already receiving a service in a sheltered workshop may continue. If you are not working in a sheltered workshop at that time, many other employment options are available.

The Employment First Outreach and Awareness Plan will include efforts, whenever possible, of our partners and stakeholders. The overall vision for this plan is to address the benefits of working in the community and to communicate broadly and address perceived obstacles and barriers to employment.

On Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, the Governor issued Executive Order 15-01 “Providing Employment Services to Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.” This Order is an update of his prior Executive Order 13-04 with the same title issued in April 2013.

This is a list of all the regional ad placements throughout the state of Oregon for Phase 2 of the I Work We Succeed Campaign, promoting community jobs for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.